Gaming laptops like the recently-reviewed Dell Alienware M14x notebook may boast impressive hardware and specifications that will make any performance freak drool in envy, and for good reason. However, the average consumer will be more inclined to opt for a more portable notebook PC that is 'good enough' to handle typical, non-gaming tasks and more importantly, sports a flashy design. And in our labs today is Lenovo's recently-launched IdeaPad Z470, a notebook which seems capable of fulfilling the latter criteria, but does it have the brawn needed to contend in today's highly digital world?

For most consumers, the determining factors for purchasing a notebook is usually not so much on performance, but more on portability and design. After all, if one is going to get a notebook to serve as his or her main portable computing device, we might as well get one that is both lightweight and nice to look at as well, while making sure that it does not sacrifice too much on performance.

However, because the average consumer is always a very difficult customer to please, Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs often find themselves playing a delicate game of 'mix-n-match' with their notebooks' design and hardware in order to deliver a decent product capable of appealing to the masses. But is Lenovo's recently-launched IdeaPad Z470 notebook for the fashion-conscious consumers the all-rounded notebook that the Chinese OEM has made it out to be? We will find out soon enough.

As usual, here is the list detailing our review unit's hardware specifications; full review coming up after the break.